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The Overly Adverb’d Author / Memorable Fancies #511

Jeff Mason’s novel was accepted for publication, subject to the usual copy-editing process. After the first edit, Jeff noticed that an editor had removed all his adverbs. He complained, but to no avail: he was told that adverbs were clogging his writing, and that they had to go or Jeff would have to find another publisher.

Muttering, he repaired the damage as best he could and sent the revised version back.

A week later, Jeff received a new post-edit version. He noticed that an editor had, this time, removed all his adjectives. He complained, but to no avail: he was told that adjectives were clogging his writing, and that they had to go or Jeff could just find another publisher.

Muttering louder this time he repaired the damage as best he could and sent the re-revised version back.

A week later, this time Jeff received only an email; no new version was attached. The email said “Dear Mr. Mason: We regret to have to remind you that we have a minimum length for mainstream novels of 90,000 words. Since your draft now comes in well below that figure, we advise you to find another publisher.”